Lodi: I won’t go to Palermo

Francesco Lodi has once and for all determined he won’t join Palermo, as he asserts his commitment is to Catania.

Francesco Lodi has once and for all determined he won’t join Palermo, as he asserts his commitment is to Catania.

The playmaker has been linked with a summer exit from the recently relegated Rossazzurri, with cross-town rivals Palermo suggested as having a deal in place, subject to the player’s approval.

However, he has made clear that that will not be forthcoming and his intention is to stay with his current club, in Serie B.

“For me, this must be the season of redemption and a climb that I absolutely want to do with my Catania,” Lodi has stated today.

“In this I believe very much, otherwise I would not have chosen to stay. With the Coach Maurizio Pellegrino I have a good relationship, from when he was with the academy. He is also from Catania and really wants to take us back into the top flight.

“At Palermo I am not and I will not go there. [Coach Beppe] Iachini called me in November when I was still affiliated with Genoa.

“The Coach asked me if I was willing to change shirt and even if I was not playing at that time, I said no, because I played for Catania and lived in Catania.

“It’s a matter of principle, I would not do it for the relationship with the city of Catania and the club’s fans.”